Summer school may be out at Flow, but that doesn’t mean Flowstars have gone on holiday. In fact, after all the latest sessions they’re working harder than ever to put what they learned into action.
Flow School features a variety of communications courses, each one designed to enhance participants’ knowledge about new trends and practices around the world.
“Flow School is one of the best benefits of working at Flow,” says Colin Ford, who facilitated the blog-writing session. “We have so much collective knowledge in our heads – it would be a shame not to share it.”
Colin asked each of the Flowstars who attended the session to write a blog for the Flow website.
“I am amazed at the quality of the work that's been produced, especially by the non-writers,” he says. “We're going to be publishing the 'homework blogs' over the next few weeks, which will give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the massive writing talent that we have here at Flow.”
The classes are linked to helping Flowstars understand the various components and studios’ roles, and how they work together in making Flow the amazing communications company that it is.
Flow school principal Janet Berger says: “On a social level, it’s great to get together to discuss, debate and learn in a comfortable and accommodating space. We have some pretty smart people at Flow, and it is wonderful to get to pick their brains and learn from their varied experiences.
“The classes are also hugely valuable to personal development and for all staff to broaden their understanding of what it is that we do and to discuss and plan how we could do it better,” she adds.
Nomthandazo Peyise, who attended several of the sessions, feels that Flow School does have many benefits: “I get to know and understand the various platforms that we work in, and I gained more knowledge on how to use things like Google Drive.”
Cassidy Parker, who is a Flow PR account director, says: “The classes continually impressed upon me that, no matter how much I thought I knew about something, there was always more to learn, another angle to consider. I felt encouraged to think innovatively and creatively, and to appreciate the input of my colleagues.
”While the value that the classes themselves provide is obvious, I think the real value comes in appreciating the knowledge and expertise of your colleagues. It casts them in a new light – the fundis of their field – and nurtures respect in the process,” adds Cassidy.
“Staff response to Flow School has been very positive and it has now become a part of Flow's culture. We are a very curious and knowledge-hungry team, so the sessions allow a great space for growth, as well as engagement on relevant subjects that interest us as a company and as individuals,” says Janet.
The learning never ends at Flow, and Janet and her team of teachers are already planning Flow winter school, based on feedback received from last term’s attendees.
“There has been an appeal for themed terms of classes, similar to a series of website workshops that programming studio manager Richard Frank ran last year, so that we can engage in more depth on subjects that are of interest to us individually, as well as beneficial to the company.”
